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I think I posted previously how my last year was kinda seriously sucky--way too hectic and stressful, what with writing, teaching, the release of two books, and various other personal crisises. I feel much better about my schedule this year, but too-good-to-pass-up opportunities seem to be popping again almost every week.
In writing news, I've turned in two manuscripts, Project Sweet Life, a teen novel about three fifteen year-old boys who are forced by their dads to get summer jobs. Convinced that fifteen is the year of the "optional" summer job, they invent fake jobs to tell their parents, then embark on a series of get-rich-quick schemes to get the $7000 they need to prove they have real jobs...but the money proves more elusive than they thought. It's a caper novel, a mystery, a comedy, and (I hope) a very fun read. That'll be out later this year from HarperCollins.
My second book is Shadowwalkers, about Zach, a lonely gay sixteen year-old who, when his internet access is restricted, turns to astral projection to escape the forgetton backwater where he lives with his grandparents. Sure enough, there he meets Emory, another gay guy. Then when his little brother is kidnapped, he realizes he can uses the astral realm to find him. Problem is, Zach and Emory are not the only ones in the astral realm; they're being tracked by a mysterious shadow creature who would like nothing more than to possess their spirits and take over their bodies. (Incidentally, I see the whole astral realm thing as a metaphor for the internet--really, really cool, but also potentially dangerous unless you're really careful.) This one will be out in spring 2009 from Tor Books.
What else, what else? I'm working with some producers to create original online television programming. Hopefully the first Brent Hartinger-created "webisode" will debut later this year (and I'll post link info here). And I also recently finished a "gay teen" screenplay (that I love!) that we're just about to start shopping. With the writer strike ending, we'll find out the fate of the potential Geography Club movie very soon.
Oh, and speaking of Geography Club, a production of the play is just about to open in Tacoma, Washington (where I live). (As always, email me if you're interested in getting a copy of the script.) Anyway, the cast is great, so check it out if you can:
See a production of my play, Geography Club (based on my book), Broadway Center for the Performing Arts, two performances only: February 21, 7:30 PM, and March 1, 8 PM. Visit www.northwestplaywrights.org for more information and a link to tickets!
Did I really think I was going to take it any easier this year than last? Yeah, right. Sheesh.
It's all cool,
Brent Hartinger
My Books:
* Dreamquest
* Split Screen: Attack of the Soul-Sucking Brain Zombies/Bride of the Soul-Sucking Brain Zombies
* Grand & Humble
* The Order of the Poison Oak
* The Last Chance Texaco
* Geography Club Explore "Brent's Brain"
See my gay entertaiment video blog, "Two Gay Guys |
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